Patent GB-190413106-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and connected with Weft-replenishing Mechanism for Looms.
Inventor: STITT WILLIAM RICHARD
Filed: 1904-06-10
Granted: 1905-06-08
Abstract: 13,106. Stitt, W. R., and Davidson, A. J. June 10. L o o m shuttles, changing bobbins and the like in, automatically, shuttles; shuttle boxes; checking shuttles.-Refers to Specification No. 6385, A.D. 1904. The motion of the lay is utilized to force out the exhausted cop or pirn &c. and force in a full one Special forms of shuttles and feelers are described. The shuttle box A Figs. 2 and 6 is made with a front aperture a, which is always open and is of the required size to admit a cop, and with a back aperture a' covered once during each beat-up by a shutter or slide B moving to and fro in guides b. The shutter B is connected by a thong &c. b<1> to an eccentric or crank-pin d on a disc D placed on the main shaft d', so that the traverse of the shutter exceeds that of the lay by a few inches, the crank D being adjusted so that the shutter B may be fully open when the crank is on the front centre and fully closed again before the next stroke. The shutter has a slot c in which is pivoted a swinging block or bar C carrying a swell &c. C' and a projecting pin or hook c<1>. The pivoted block C is hinged to the block C', and the two are pivoted on a pin c<3>, their relative movement being controlled by a spring F. The shutter B is drawn back by a spring b<2>, when the block C' slides up the incline c<4> and forces the swell C' into the discharge aperture. When the cord b<1> draws away the shutter from the discharge aperture, the swell C' is forced backwards by the inclined side of the aperture, and the pin c' enters the aperture and engages the shuttle E, then drawing it towards the end of the shuttle box into a position in which the opening through the shuttle is opposite the apertures a, a'. A catch or latch g<1> being released by a feeler on exhaustion of the weft, as described in the above-mentioned Specification, or otherwise, the inclined magazine G is moved forwards by a spring g, and a cop drops on to the moving platform G<1> in front of a stationary pusher H<1> on a block H, and is thereby forced into the shuttle at the next beat-up of the lay, pushing out the empty cop &c. and taking its place. The pusher may carry at one end a thread-support, to direct the thread into a threading-disc or other device on the shuttle, and a ratchet tongs or hook h<1> &c. to enter the shuttle from the side. The magazine may be pivoted to a stationary frame, so as to oscillate or swing to and fro. Instead of moving the shutter B at each beat-up, it may be moved, on failure or exhaustion of the cop only, by a lever K, Fig. 10, pivoted to the shutter and to a bracket k in front of the lay, the lever K being provided with a pin k' to engage a diagonal plane K', which is pivoted to the loom frame and is moved across its path when the weft fails &c. Instead of a platform moving with the magazine, a bracket or platform G<3> may be placed in front of the lay A<1>, upon which one or more fresh pirns or cops are maintained by a spring or springs g<3>. The cops just reach the pusher H<1> when the lay is on the front centre, a fresh cop being dropped between the last cop on the platform and the pusher when the lay is on the back centre, if a change of cops is to take place. When the lay returns, the last cop engages with the pusher, all being moved, and the front one being forced into the shuttle. Several forms of shuttles with revolving, sliding, or other movable or open sides are described. In one form, the sides e, Figs. 14 and 15, are circular, or semicircular or curved, so as to revolve into and out of position to permit the passage of the cops through the sides. They are made with a ratchet e<1> with which the ratchet tongs h<1> engage when they enter and leave the shuttle, thus turning the latter to open and then close the sides. Springs e<2> hold the cop &c. horizontal. Metal strips r join the ratchet disc e<1> and a threading-disc E<1> provided with an open thread eye or slot. There are also a similar eye on the other side, and a stationary knife for severing the thread as the sides revolve. The severed thread passes out of one eye along with the ejected pirn, while the other eye is presented to the fresh thread, and no entanglement can occur, Transverse springs are attached to the top and bottom of the shuttle, which also grip the pirn or cop. In another form, the sides are caused to open automatically by the pressure of the cop &c. against the shuttle front and are returned to their original position by their own weight or a spring. The insides of the top and bottom of the shuttle where the butt end of the pirn or cop &c. enters are ribbed (a kind of interrupted screw) to clasp the pirn, cop, &c., and take the place of the transverse springs in the other forms. In another form, the shuttle has hinged or pivoted sides which rise or fall through a slot in the top of the shuttle to admit the full cop or pirn &c. In both forms, the thread falls on a block on the lower side of the shuttle when the sides are open, and, when they close, a #-shaped opening falls astride the thread and captures it in the eye. Another form of shuttle is described with sides formed of two rubber bands, which leave a preferably diagonal slot or opening through which the pirn &c. is forced. In another form, the sides are attached to discs or ends capable of rotating through part of a revolution. The sides which are shaped at the edges to rotate by the pressure of a cop and to admit it, are made in two parts, one part e, Fig. 29, being rigidly attached to and rotating with the discs, and the other part e' being pivoted thereto. The shuttle is closed by springs. The thread is trapped by a V-shaped groove, and carried into an eye. A ribbed clasp E<3> fitted to each side holds the cops or pirns in position. The threading may, alternatively, be as described in previous modifications or otherwise. A feeler is used constructed with a block M, Fig. 33, riding on the picker spindle or on an auxiliary spindle, preferably in the opposite box, having a lever to rise over the nose of the shuttle and drop through a hole in the top thereof. The thread hitches on to and pulls a trigger N, Fig. 34, or a wheel or cam, backwards, forwards, upwards, downwards, or sideways, to raise, lower, or turn an arm to move or engage an attachment or close an electric circuit placed on the front of the loom. During the beat-up, such attachment moves the latch. In a modified construction of feeler, a trigger N, Fig. 38, or lever of watch-spring steel, is bent towards the unwinding thread, and at its opposite end is pivoted on a rod n'. It is lifted by the thread over the cop to the opposite side, where it remains. The movement of passing over say half of the circumference of the pirn, turns the pivot and short arm n<2>. When the trigger, which may be attached separately to the shuttle, is moved, an obstacle is placed in a groove in the shuttle nose. The hanging lever of the jockey &c., on which the trigger acts when the weft is exhausted, encounters the obstacle and does not ride over it, but the jockey is carried forwards with the shuttle to a position in which it may strike a lever to start the change motion.